Magnesium Ions Carry A 2+ Charge, And Chloride Ions Carry A 1- Charge. What Is The Chemical Formula For The Ionic Compound Magnesium Chloride?

Mg = 2+
Cl = 1-

The chemical formula for magnesium chloride needs to equal a net charge of zero.

Since magnesium has 2+ charge and chlorine has a 1- charge, we will need one more chlorine in order for the total charge of magnesium chloride to equal zero.

1.) Chlorine = -1
-1 +-1= -2

2.) Magnesium = 2

3.) -2+2=0 (Yay! The net charge of MgCl2 is zero!)

When we add one more chlorine to bring the total charge of magnesium and chlorine to zero, we get:
MgCl2 (the 2 is a subscript)

The subscript (2) represents the number of chlorines needed in order to bring the total charge of magnesium chloride to zero.

I hope this helps! =D